Monday, July 14, 2008

When Over-Time Collides

One of my favorite 1950s SF flicks is George Pal's When Worlds Collide. In the movie, it is discovered that a star, Bellus, is moving into our solar system and is going to run smack-dab into Earth. It is also determined that there is a planet orbiting Bellus, Zyra, which may be capable of sustaining life. Plans are made to build space arks to transport a lucky few humans to Zyra before Earth gets clobbered.
Also, before the total destruction of Earth, Zyra will pass close enough to cause all sorts of disasters. We follow the work of one group as they build their Space Ark (only a fraction of those working on the ship will be able to leave on it). Anyway, in a nice story telling touch, we see a "countdown" calendar that is posted at the rocket factory, reminding everyone how much time is left.
Each day, a page is torn off till the end
Well, I've always wondered: In the world this is happening, what was it like walking into a print shop and ordering these calendars? Did they spend much time choosing fonts and paper stock?
After finding out the world is going to end, somebody had to just keep coming to work to get the job done. Hey, maybe they made some big over-time bucks!
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Some pics from earlier this year.
Seen from the Metra train
Winter (remember that?) , around the building I live

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